The Encyclopedia of Geometry (0061)


Problem

In $△ABC$, suppose $AC>AB$, and if we draw the perpendicular $AD$ from $A$ to $BC$, we have

$$∠DAC>∠DAB \qquad and \qquad DC>DB$$


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Solution

Since $AD⊥BC$, $∠DAB$ and $∠DAC$ are complementary angles of $∠B$ and $∠C$, respectively.

Since $AB<AC$,

$$∠B>∠C,$$

$$∴ \ ∠DAC>∠DAB.$$

Then, if we take $∠DAB’$, which is equal to $∠DAB$, inside $∠DAC$, $B’$ is on $DC$ and $BD=DB’$. Thus,

$$DC>DB’,$$

$$∴ \ DC>DB.$$

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Reference

Teiichiro Sasabe (1976) The Encyclopedia of Geometry (2nd edition), Seikyo-Shinsha, p.16